It only takes a short drive along U.S. Highway 69 (South Main) in Lindale to know that there is commercial growth going on at an unprecedented pace. The projects under construction only represent a fraction of what is anticipated and rumored. This first "Economic Development" report of the LACC newsletter is an attempt to recap what is actually under construction or in the immediate plans.

Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse is nearing completion and expected to open for business some time in September, according to manager, Randy Boogaerts. Employees are being trained and will begin stocking the store in August.

The Walmart Supercenter should not be far behind. Store manager Don Hines indicates an October start date. Additional pad sites around both Wal-Mart and Lowe's are planned for development.

St. Ives Realty plans to start construction in August on the Lindale Corners Shopping Center immediately to the south of Wal-Mart. There will be as many as 12 retail locations in the approximately 20,000 square foot strip center along with two restaurant pad sites according to Dale Bryant, leasing agent for Bridge Realty Partners who manages the project for St. Ives Realty. Leases have been secured for Cato Fashions, Check ‘N Go, and a cell phone company. Negotiations are currently underway with an insurance company and a medical supply company, as well as two restaurants for the pad sites. Mr. Bryant reports that interest in Lindale has been very brisk and seems to have picked up the last few weeks.

Across U.S. 69, Trinity Mother Frances Health System anticipates the opening of their new 32,000 square foot facility in Lindale in mid-November, 2005. Trinity Mother Frances-Lindale will offer convenient hours and will provide physician’s offices, visiting specialists, laboratory, x-ray, diagnostic radiology, cardiac stress testing, mobile MRI and mammography, rehabilitation services, and a fitness center. Trinity Mother Frances Fitness Center, affiliated with Premier Fitness, will have a 3-lane lap pool and state-of-the-art workout equipment. Information about memberships can be obtained by contacting Premier Fitness at 903-939-3100.

Construction began in late June on the eastern section of Centennial Boulevard. This new city street will separate Lowe’s and Wal-Mart. The western section, north of the Trinity Mother Frances Facility, should be under construction in late July. This city street is being funded, in large part, by two Texas Capital Fund Grants, which total approximately $1.1 million. The application and engineering for these grants were funded by the Lindale Economic Development Corporation, which administers the ½ cent sales tax that is dedicated to economic development. LEDCo also provided an incentive grant for infrastructure on the Lowe’s Development.

Gary Root has begun construction on the next phase of the Identity Center. This 6,500 square foot addition will house up to 5 additional retail spaces.

Chicken Express is also under construction farther north on U.S. 69. Since the Chamber year began in May, we have seen the opening of Fred’s Discount Center. Several other small businesses have opened in existing buildings along U.S 69. Look for their photos in the new members’ section of the newsletter.

These are the known developments in the area, but sometimes rumors turn into realities. By the next newsletter, we anticipate much more to report as we watch Lindale grow.